If promoters can reach a deal Mthatha would make history by hosting the first-ever world boxing championship involving two Eastern Cape boxers.
This was revealed by promoter Ayanda Matiti after his boxer Siphamandla Baleni produced a flawless performance to outwit and dethrone Daluxolo Mangcotywa to win his SA mini-flyweight crown at the Orient Theatre on Friday night.
The fight was part of the annual Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations promoted by Matiti’s Xaba Promotions and Events.
The event attracted bigwigs including government ministers such Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC, Pemmy Majodina.
And in a fitting tribute to the former struggle icon, Baleni and Mangcotywa produced a memorable fight that had the sparse spectators on their feet.
Baleni was fighting for the first time under his new technical team manned by Matiti’s brother Makwedinana Matiti after relocating from Mthatha to Mdantsane.
However, he hardly put a foot wrong as he even floored the champion in the first round.
With three titles at stake including the IBO intercontinental as well as Baleni’s WBA Pan African belt, the two boxers left nothing to chances in an absorbing encounter that has emerged as the candidate for the fight of the year.
By winning the vacant IBO Intercontinental crown, Baleni has now positioned himself for a crack at reigning IBO champion Simpiwe Konkco who ironically hails from Mthatha but has since relocated to Johannesburg.
In fact Baleni and Konkco were once stablemates at Madoda “One More Time” Dyonase’s gymnasium in Mthatha before they both left to seek greener pastures.
With Baleni having acquired the IBO Intercontinental title he is now eligible to challenge Konkco for his IBO crown.
And Matiti wasted no time in drooling about the encounter and he vows to work heaven and earth to make sure it happens.
“We will leave no stone unturned in making sure that this bout happens,” he said after the fight.
Already fires appeared to be stoked when Konkco’s trainer Colin Nathan remarked about the potential clash.
Nathan was present at the show as part of SABCTV boxing broadcast team and had a good view of Baleni.
“It is not up to me for this fight to happen but if you were to ask my opinion about it I would tell you that Baleni would stand no chance against Konkco,” he said after the fight.
“Baleni fought very well but Konkco is far superior in almost all departments.”
It is yet to be seen if Konkco’s new promoter Rodney Berman will give him permission to face Baleni especially as he will likely not be a promoter if the fight is held in Mthatha. Berman has previously released his contracted Eastern Cape fighters to fight under other promoters as he did with Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni.
Matiti said he would begin talks with Berman regarding the fight.
Promoters in big push for mega Mthatha bout
This was revealed by promoter Ayanda Matiti after his boxer Siphamandla Baleni produced a flawless performance to outwit and dethrone Daluxolo Mangcotywa to win his SA mini-flyweight crown at the Orient Theatre on Friday night.
The fight was part of the annual Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations promoted by Matiti’s Xaba Promotions and Events.
The event attracted bigwigs including government ministers such Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC, Pemmy Majodina.
And in a fitting tribute to the former struggle icon, Baleni and Mangcotywa produced a memorable fight that had the sparse spectators on their feet.
Baleni was fighting for the first time under his new technical team manned by Matiti’s brother Makwedinana Matiti after relocating from Mthatha to Mdantsane.
However, he hardly put a foot wrong as he even floored the champion in the first round.
With three titles at stake including the IBO intercontinental as well as Baleni’s WBA Pan African belt, the two boxers left nothing to chances in an absorbing encounter that has emerged as the candidate for the fight of the year.
By winning the vacant IBO Intercontinental crown, Baleni has now positioned himself for a crack at reigning IBO champion Simpiwe Konkco who ironically hails from Mthatha but has since relocated to Johannesburg.
In fact Baleni and Konkco were once stablemates at Madoda “One More Time” Dyonase’s gymnasium in Mthatha before they both left to seek greener pastures.
With Baleni having acquired the IBO Intercontinental title he is now eligible to challenge Konkco for his IBO crown.
And Matiti wasted no time in drooling about the encounter and he vows to work heaven and earth to make sure it happens.
“We will leave no stone unturned in making sure that this bout happens,” he said after the fight.
Already fires appeared to be stoked when Konkco’s trainer Colin Nathan remarked about the potential clash.
Nathan was present at the show as part of SABCTV boxing broadcast team and had a good view of Baleni.
“It is not up to me for this fight to happen but if you were to ask my opinion about it I would tell you that Baleni would stand no chance against Konkco,” he said after the fight.
“Baleni fought very well but Konkco is far superior in almost all departments.”
It is yet to be seen if Konkco’s new promoter Rodney Berman will give him permission to face Baleni especially as he will likely not be a promoter if the fight is held in Mthatha. Berman has previously released his contracted Eastern Cape fighters to fight under other promoters as he did with Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni.
Matiti said he would begin talks with Berman regarding the fight.
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